I had to pay $3900 in Feb of '12 to replace this transmission in this car with a brand new transmission from Nissan and then on July 28 of '12 this transmission breaks on the highway 3 hours into our family vacation. the transmission its self is covered but this does not mean reliable, since I had to pay for a hotel in the middle of nowhere and towing 3hrs back home for the repair to be covered! I am now at 22 days without a vehicle that I still am paying for. This car is very unsafe and unreliable.

The car is still at the dealer. Nissan denied the good will extended warranty so it will sit there for awhile.The Pathfinder was fine when the warranty extension came out. I was just past the extension in miles and now I have the radiator issue AND the fuel sending unit issue. The dealership says I caught the radiator issue early but I am still looking at $900 to fix both and the strong possibility the transmission may go bad in the future. I am starting a letter writing campaign as this should be a recall as they specifically recognize the faulty parts. I received some advice from Clark Howard to file complaints on Facebook, twitter, autosafety.org NHTSA.gov and request a meeting with the Nissan Zone Rep. Lets see what happens.

Vibrates really bad when shifting, was driving on the freeway 9/15/2012 going 50mph and it started jerking and shifting really hard. Since the problem got worse shifting hard and vibrating the car really bad! Took it into a transmission place 9/17/12 and the poked at the trans fluid and it had a lot of Miley fluid, a good amount of coolant is in it. I have a warranty in place with Naviss, and they denied the claim stating the radiator is not a covered part and that since it is the cause of the issue they won't cover the claim. The transmission is supposedly covered in the warranty but they are not covering it! I have a wife and two kids and the car is not safe to drive, my wife won't even drive the car. I don't have $4200.00 laying around, and now have to get a loan for the repairs. I can't believe that Nissan knows this an issue and have had and will continue to have complaints on this matter yet they won't step up and fix the problem. I really hope this class action lawsuit goes through. The transmission shop said they have 3-4 a month to fix with the same issues and that they have yet to see Nissan cover it.

The car does not accelerate the way it should from a complete stop. After getting about about 20mph it seems to perform normally, but something is definitely wrong with the transmission.

When I put the car in drive there is a noticeable jump/bump.

I took it to a transmission shop and he confirmed that the radiator is leaking into the transmission. At this point he estimates about $3,000 to fix.

I have gathered that this is very common problem with 2005 pathfinders...does anyone have any advice for me?

Yup, Coolant mixing in the transmission system. Just found out today that transmission will need to be replaced. (Cuz I have a spare $3300 sitting around to blow on a manufacturing defect...)

Some issues with slipping at first, mechanics couldn't figure it out. Said they would have to take apart the transmission to figure it out since there were no codes being tripped. Then the slip got worse and they happened to discover how bad the fluid looked by the u-joint underneath the car. It was only then that they discovered that the problem could have been related to the radiator coolant leak. They proceeded to fix the radiator and related components and flushed the system several times ($726.81)

Only 2 months later the transmission was acting up again and almost failed on the freeway, stuttering the engine and smoking a bit. Fortunately, we were able to limp the vehicle home and get it to the mechanic the next day. Vehicle was at the shop for 3 weeks, then the mechanic thought he had it fixed. We drove the car about 5 miles down the road, the vehicle started to stutter and slip again and the check engine light came on again. We returned the vehicle to the shop, they checked the codes again and determined that the transmission would need to be replaced. This is ridiculous...... When you pay this much money for a vehicle, there is no reason why a transmission should fail in 94,000 miles. I can't believe all the horror stories I have read on the internet related to this Nissan transmission issue. I feel a sick to my stomach right now just thinking about the financial impact that this has and will cause to my family. There is absolutely no reason that Nissan shouldn’t be responsible for this catastrophe. Especially after they have identified that this is a known issue.

DO NOT BUY NISSAN. They will not stand by their vehicle maintenance if anything goes wrong. I have an issue that is clearly a manufacturers faulty work/equipment and yet they refuse to stand by their vehicle.

I have a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. 116,000km (~72,000mi). There is a known issue with the radiators of Nissan vehicles of the 2005 -2006 years. The Radiator will leak coolant into the transmission and fry the Computer controlling the transmission as well as the transmission itself. An $8,000 repair.

I have contacted Nissan Canada and they refuse to have anything to do with my Pathfinder telling me that it's not their problem.

Nissan has extended the radiator warranty on select vehicles only but will not cover vehicles that are not part of a specific VIN group. My vehicles falls well within the new extended warranty period and mileage it, however, is excluded from this extended warranty despite it being the same problem all other are encountering.

There is a class action lawsuit currently underway in the US suing Nissan USA for this specific issue. I guess Canadians are too nice to sue?

Here is a website more information: http://www.nissanproblems.com/problems/transmission.shtml

Vehicle started rumbling intermittently going between 4th and 5th gear around 40 and 60 mph. The rumbling will last between 2 and 5 seconds until the accelerator is depressed hard enough to force the vehicle to downshift which results in a loud banging noise and a jerk. Also noticed what looks like curdled milk all around the radiator cap. I have an appointment with the dealership, Nissan of Saco, on 08/28/2012 and am almost certain they will try and get out of covering this under the "lifetime power train warranty"

• Drove on Monday and all was fine.
• Tuesday (Sept 4,2012) the car now starts in 3rd gear and won't switch out of gear.
• Wednesday have Transmission flushed and new transmission fluid with filter added.
• Thursday problem persists and mechanic is consulted. Following an extensive examination the issue is uncovered. 1) Coolant leaked into Transmission fluid 2) Result of coolant issue is that it: 2.1) Fried the computer that controls the transmission (~$1,400) 2.2) Fried the Transmission (~$2,600) 2.3) Valves + Radiator (~$1,600) 2.4) Ancillary parts & pieces (~$1,000) 2.5) Additional cooling system for Transmission fluid needs to be installed so that issue does not occur again. ($??)

  Total expected cost ~$8,000

  Solution: On the phone with Nissan Canada and they have extended the warranty for this issue to 8 years / 130,000 km.

  Problem: While my car falls under that extended warranty, Nissan Canada does not have my car as being approved for that particular issue. They will investigate and get back to me. The dealership has already told my mechanic that my car does not qualify for the extended warranty due to known issue.

My 2005 Pathfinder with 89000 miles started giving transmission problem two weeks ago and took it to the dealer. They diagnosed the problem charging a fee of 130 and were so cool to give an estimate of 5000 plus to replace the transmission. When I refused to get it done with them, they warned me of outside auto shops cheating and quality of the transmission. But I feel they have done it to me. The vehicle is still lying unrepaired and wish I had the company of such unfortunate owners to stand outside the Nissan dealership with a banner warning the public not to buy Nissan vehicle. I didn't know that there is a long line of complaints until I faced it.

I'm having the same issue happen with my 2005 Pathfinder.as everyone else. I was driving with my entire family in the car when I lost acceleration while driving. While I was trying to figure out what was going on, a passerby flagged to me that there was a fire under my car.I immediately got my family out of the vehicle and called the fire department out to inspect it. By the time the fire department arrived on scene, the fire was out. I then had my car towed to a transmission shop after one of the fire fighters told me it was a issue with my transmission. The shop told me I had $4900 in damages and needed to replace my transmission and radiator. I just bought this vehicle 5 months ago. This couldn't have happened at a worst time because I'm due to close on a house at the end of the month. Anyone have any suggestions as to what can be done about this?

I have a 2005 Pathfinder. Have always owned Chevrolet and thought I would try something new. Had always heard that Nissans would last forever. I bought a "Nissan Certified" with 35,000 miles. Thank god I purchased the extended warranty. I have had to have the wheel barrings changed, fuel sensor,u joint, fuel gauge,and MANY other small expensive fixes then at 99000 miles my engine needed to be replaced!! 100 more miles and I would have been screwed! Even though I had to produce EVERY oil change receipt and prove that I had done all preventive maintenance, the EXTENDED warranty covered it. Oh but wait. 2 months ago im sitting in the drive thru and i smell something wet and long and behold my temp gauge is buried and i pull over and my car starts puking out this pink gunk! Yep my coolant mixed with my transmission. Of course im not under warranty any more so I had the radiator replaced and the transmission flushed 3 times. And of coarse now my transmission is damaged and needs replaced. I owe 9500 on this piece of crap and they want 5000.00 to replace the transmission. I dont know what to do. Im reading all of these issues with the same car and it doesnt sound like Nissan wants to be bothered with this problem. I bought this car to travel with my kids so they could be comfortable and watch movies on long rides. Now when we go on a long distance I have to rent cars!!! NOT COOL NISSAN!!!! Buy my car back!!! No dealer wants to buy this car!!

2005 Pathfinder at 94k miles transmission felt like it was slipping, took it to my husbands 2 mechanics in which they both verified this was a new discovery with late 2000 model Pathfinders that the radiator/transmission fail and must be replaced, including all hoses/attachments fluids etc. 2nd mechanic just got back from Las Vegas attending seminar in which they were warned that if their garage hasn't seen this issue yet, to get prepared as these Nissans would be coming in droves. I called Nissan consumer affairs, they acted like they knew nothing about this issue, they wouldn't file a claim until I took it to the Nissan dealership & paid $130 for a diagnostic that was already determined 2x by 2 different mechanics-both of which own their own business and expert in these matters. I went to Nissan to get diagnostic they told me it would be $10,000 to fix as EVERYTHING needed to be replaced. I owe $4,300, it's in immaculate condition & if this issue had not happened bluebook would be $14,000 yet Nissan said they would only give me $3,000. Carmax offered $7,000, I took Carmax trade in papers to Nissan & all of a sudden they will match the Carmax estimate because they know I have to have a new car. Appalling & reeks of dishonesty. I looked at a few Muranos at Nissan, all the while being sent to multiple sales people who were clueless of this situation & defect screwing all these people. Nissan is giving the owners the finger & leaving us high&dry-the extended 80k warranty means NOTHING to me now as I'm 14k over that, I take stellar care of my Pathfinder, service it regularly and there is absolutely no reason I shouldn't be able to drive it at least another 100k miles. Nissan said they would "do me right, make it right, give me a deal" on a new or previously owned car because of his nightmare-They did not such thing! They ran numbers for various years & wouldn't discount anything, didn't treat me right, acted clueless. They did give me a Murano to drive overnight to test if I wanted it, they didn't even have gas in it. I went all of 40 miles and had to put gas in it just to get it back to them. Absolutely ridiculous and insulting. Consumer Affairs hasn't gotten back to me despite the multiple voice mails I have left them. I am irate that us Nissan owners are stuck with either fixing the issue with a ridiculous amount of money or just let the car sit in my driveway useless. I bought Nissan Pathfinder on basis of they are known to last near 200k, very reliable & well made. Come to find out they could care less about this manufacturer defect that causes the car to be useless nor will they cover the costs or even part of it. I have sent all my info to the lawyers that are pursuing this as a class action lawsuit. It is all over the internet how screwed all these people are and Nissan could give a rats ass. I'm so livid I hope beyond hope something comes from this lawsuit, that Nissan will settle & make things right with the mass consumers stuck with such a bs problem which renders their vehicles useless!

So I bought this SUV thinking that it would be great for towing the trailer and for it's capacity and it has been. However, that's about all this vehicle has going for it. Cupholders. When it comes to the actual mechanisms like, I don't know..... the transmission. This vehicle is awful. It has been an absolute lemon! So I'm driving on the freeway and as I'm coming off the ramp I slow down to wait for the light. Well as I go to accelerate the transmission wouldn't shift past second. So the service engine light comes on and I'm going 20mph on a 45 so I feel like a jerk with my lovely hazard lights flashing to I guess warn people I'm not driving that slow intentionally??? Anyway, I have been working on cars since I was 12 years old. Yeah. Start young I guess. So I knew immediately... Transmission... great... So I drive it to a transmission shop a block down the road. I figured, well if the transmission just went out, it's gonna have to be rebuilt so I might as well. So when I get to the shop. I leave it with them to do some diagnostics. Ok.. the usual. I come back later that afternoon when they are ready to talk and apparently there is a know problem where the radiator leaks into the transmission fluid. Ladies and Gentlemen, H2O+Engine/Tranny=Disaster, if you have this vehicle take it to your shop and get a new radiator before you have to do what I'm about the explain. When I bought the vehicle, I purchased an extended warranty... and at that, the good one... Right?? No! They didn't cover anything because radiators are not covered in the warranty. So I had to pay 5000 to get it fixed out of pocket and a worthless warranty is to blame, trust me, read other posts. The warranty is crap!!! They had to rebuild the transmission twice, because they didn't do their job right the first time. And they had to replace the radiator. So I'm all set right, I think everything is good. Nope thanks to Nissan and their infinite wisdom, I have to pay a loan off for 5000 and finish the 8000 I owe on the car. Thanks Nissan for your miraculous engineering, make it that much harder for a military family to put the food on the table. Your the best???? NOT! All in all, do not buy this Vehicle. If you own one. Sell it. It will happen to you. Your 2005-2009 is not exempt from this... it will happen. I promise. This vehicle is like sex, the only way you will be safe from an STD (Transmission Failure) is to be abstinent (Don't drive it). So just don't own one at all!

We purchase the vehicle brand new, and cash it... I work in automotive business for a long time. Nissan sends e-mail for promotion & sale promotions.. All they had to do is inform the owners that there's a know issue about the radiator and I would have change it myself. Now because I am over "2000" MILES they decline my warranty..

I work in automotive business and deal with customers every day.. And guess what I will be saying to the people I meet everyday about NISSAN *%$#@ As far as safety issue my wife & family did had close call while driving, the trans did not response and almost got hit from behind.. Anyone out there has any suggestion or any legal action we can take againts NISSAN ???

And for NISSAN company we will all face judgement and $$$$$ is not everything, working class people that works hard everyday and trusted your product, it's so easy to turn your back and say screw them !! shame on you all !!! we need our vehicle to provide for our family & to survive each day in this difficult life we can't just spend that amount of hard earn money to fix your mistake. In this generation it's so easy to spread the word through social media..

HAWAII.....

Bought the Pathfinder used with 94500 miles. Engine light came on within a week indicating the transmission. Had it reset which lasted almost a month. I puchased the extended warranty and was told by the dealership I bought the car from that I could take it anywhere to be repaired. Took it to a local Nissan dealer. After their investigation revealed that the radiator had leaked into the transmission, the warranty company was informed. The warranty company would not cover any costs to fix the vehicle because the warranty did not cover the radiator. Finally had to replace the radiator and the tranmission was flushed twice. It has been 6 months and 15000 miles and I still get upset with the car, the dealership, and the warranty company.

In May my check engine light went on and I noticed hard shifting into gear/downshifting; after having the engine checked they recommended flushing the transmission first. I had done some research on the problem and it looked like my transmission was also experiencing issues due to the radiator leaking fluid into the transmission. We added the exterior cooler to the radiator to bypass the transmission but that apparently was a temporary fix as the damage of the water in the transmission has already been done. 2 months later the engine light has gone on again and the diagnosis pretty much is for a new transmission; 7 error codes showing on the transmission check. The cost for repair at minimum is 4-5,000, which as a single mom and a full time artist is just beyond what I can do, especially still owing 7500 on the vehicle. Having bought the vehicle with 86,000; the extended warranty was pretty much useless for me. My vehicle has 114,411 miles on it which in this day an age isn't much-my last nissan had 254,000 miles on it so I figured this would be the same quality of vehicle or better. My previous vehicle was a 2000 maxima; the vehicle I currently own and am experiencing problems with is a 2005 nissan pathfinder. I'm besides myself on what to do about this issue and find it hard to believe such a catastrophic design flaw is being swept under the rugs by nissan.